Defiant Destiny

Chapter three

Harry and Draco sat, their backs against the stone wall as they talked, Harry couldn't remember having such an in-depth conversation with anyone other than Ron and Hermione for such a long time and even they weren't such constant company has they had once been. Draco on the other hand hadn't had such an interesting conversation since the beginning of the school year; the Slytherins weren't big conversationalists, especially Crabbe and Goyal who couldn't even manage words longer than four syllables.

They talked about Quidditch and classes avoiding subjects that involved love lives and sexual conquests, Draco answered everything and anything whereas Harry seemed to still be a little weary of him and for good reason.

It wasn't until Filch found them at four that morning did they get up and go their separate ways. Draco was ecstatic, he had managed –how he did not know- to get Harry to agree to come to Hogsmead with him the next weekend. He knew he had a lot of work a head of him if he was to ever gain Harry's trust fully, and he was determined to do it however long it took him to do so.

Harry was a little confused, he was pretty sure Draco had manipulated him into agreeing to this date and now his head was all in a muddle. The stupidest things kept going through his mind, things like, what if he wasn't a good boyfriend and what if being the boy-who-lived got in the way of their relationship? Harry had to physically shake the thoughts out of his head, they hadn't even had their first date, it was most likely not going to progress to a second and even if it did such problems could be dealt with when the time came.

Unwilling to go to sleep Harry went and sat in Gryffindor common, staring intently into the fire as he waited for his fellow Gryffindor's to get their lazy arses out of bed. He was unsurprised to find that at half past six it was Hermione to venture into the common room first.

"Oh, hello Harry, you're up early, what you doing?"

"Just thinking, what are you doing up?"

"I thought I'd get caught up on my homework, don't tell Ron but I'm a little behind."

"I'm not surprised; you're taking four classes more than any sane student would. I know you probably don't but do you want some help?"

"I don't need help but I would like some company."

Harry and Hermione sat up in silence; the only sound the scratching of quill to parchment, Harry resumed his staring off into the fire as his friend worked.

Two hours later at half past eight Ron emerged still half asleep and stomach grumbling, he threw himself down on the sofa next to Harry and received his usual greetings. Soon to join them was Neville, Lavender, Dean, Seamus and Parvati. Only when all these people were present in the common room did they begin to head down to the great hall for breakfast at quarter to nine, fifteen minutes before class was due to start.

Draco Malfoy had sat and waited since eight for Harry to show up for breakfast, he was tired and irritable but one sight of Harry made his day. He actually made eye contact and smiled at him, he was delighted to see that Harry went slightly red, as if he wasn't used to the attention, which of course he was. Maybe he just wasn't used to an admirer's attention; Draco had certainly not seen Harry date any one other Cho Chang over the years.

Before any of them could actually start eating Dumbledore approached Harry and asked him to come to the infirmary with him. His friend sent him puzzled looks as he departed, following the headmaster.

When they entered Poppy had just finished checking over Emerald, Harry knew time portals to be dangerous and this was clearly just a standard check up. "She is in perfect health." Poppy announced as she went to attend to a second year with a quiditch injury.

"Perfect, Harry, you are to look after young Emerald for today, show her round the castle and then report back to my office after dinner alright."

"Sure professor, but why me?"

"Because Harry, you are the one that stumbled across her while out for your night time stroll, which by the way, I remember banning until Voldermorts destruction."

"I thought you'd prefer a sane boy-who-lived rather than one cooped up in a castle non-stop and unable to set foot outside."

"You are right, but if I had the chose between a sane boy-who-lived and an alive one then I would certainly chose the latter, so consider you being Emerald's guardian your punishment, good day to you both."

"I hate him sometimes!" Harry hissed as he walked from the infirmary at a brisk pace, one that Emerald found hard to keep up with.

"You don't in the future, you've never said a bad word about him, in fact you worship the ground he walks on."

"You don't happen to know if I've been put under the imperius curse then do you?"

Emerald giggled, "No, you say that he deserves it."

They remained silent, the questions that Harry wanted to ask would never be answered, he knew that and so did she. After a while as they neared the library, which Harry decided would be a good a place as any to start the tour of Hogwarts Emerald spoke.

"He's still alive."

"Who?"

"Voldermort"

"Am I scared of him, or vice versa?"

"No, you're eager to face him for reasons I can't say but you have people holding you back." She said, twiddling her thumbs as she spoke. "Everyone loves you."

"I need to ask you something, you can answer yes or no but I need an answer, if for anything, my peace of mind because it's driving me insane." She shrugged as if to say she'd answer if she could. "Draco Malfoy … he asked me out for this Hogsmead weekend, I said yes … what I want to know is … are we together?"

"I once over heard you telling my dad that agreeing to your first date with Draco was the best thing that you ever did."

"Really?"

"Yeah"

"Are we happy?"

"I shouldn't say but I'd say you are."

"I guess I made the right choice after all."

They spent the morning touring the castle and they ended up at the lake watching the giant squid, something that Emerald found particularly amusing. It was as they were heading up to the castle for lunch that Draco came and found them.

"Hey Har … I thought you weren't Slytherin enough to get first years to follow you around and get them to do your bidding."

"I'm not, Emerald is a guest at the castle and I'm looking after her for the day." Harry said smiling, Emerald smiled at him too and he saw the similarity between them but said nothing, thinking nothing of it.

"Can I escort the two of you to lunch then?"

"Oh, Harry would like that every much." Emerald said happily pushing Harry towards Draco a little, for a young child she certainly was strong. The Gryffindor blushed as he realised they were now inches apart, Draco leaned closer but Harry took a step back.

"I'll speak to you later tonight okay, same place we were last night, around midnight?"

"It's a date" Draco said smirking, he then watched as Harry guided Emerald away with one arm back up to the castle. They had almost kissed and Draco was now more than ecstatic.

Ideas are welcome for this at the moment as I'm struggling a little, as for book six ... it NEVER happened in my stories, I can't bare the shock! Please review xxxxxxxx.